Sir Tom Finney: England and Preston North End legend dies aged 91

Former England winger and Preston North End legend Sir Tom Finney has died aged 91.

Finney, who made more than 400 league appearances for Preston between 1946 and 1960, won 76 caps for his country and was widely regarded as one of the most talented footballers the Britain has ever produced.

He scored 30 goals for England, placing him joint sixth on the all-time list with Alan Shearer and Nat Lofthouse.

The Football Association tweeted: ‘The FA is saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Tom Finney, one of England’s all-time greatest players.’

Born a stone’s throw from Preston’s Deepdale ground, Finney twice won the footballer of the year title, in 1953-54 and 1956-57.

Fiercely loyal to his boyhood club he did not win any team honours but was twice a runner-up in the league with North End, and also played in the 1954 FA Cup final defeat to West Brom.

A Preston statement said the club were deeply saddened by the news.

‘Preston North End have been informed of the extremely sad news of the passing of Sir Tom Finney,’ it said.

‘Sir Tom was the greatest player to ever play for Preston North End and one of the all time greats for England.

‘The thoughts of everyone at the club, and those connected with it, are with his family at this time.’

Preston are due to host Leyton Orient at Deepdale in League One this afternoon.